A standard student budget is constructed for all financial aid recipients, which includes the average cost associated with attending City College of San Francisco. Average student's costs for various categories in budgets are developed by the Financial Aid Office using surveyed information provided by the California Student Aid commission and the Chancellor's Office for California Community Colleges.

Standard student budgets are constructed recognizing different cost for three categories of students. Those living at home, those living away from home, and those attending less than half-time (less than half-time budgets are used to determine Federal Pell eligibility only). Non-resident students will have the cost of tuition added as a budget component to determine loan eligibility.